Stade Francais host the Stormers in the final round of European Champions Cup Pool 4 matches in Paris on Saturday and as it stands the visitors still have work to do when it comes to making the knockout rounds.
Stade Francais v Stormers, Saturday 20th January, Paris, KO 19:30 (South African time)
Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Mike Hudson (Eng) , Jamie Leahy (Eng)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (Eng)
Weather Forecast – Paris
Stade Francais:
Pool 4 is topped by Leinster who are guaranteed a last 16 place. Leinster have 14 points whilst the Stormers and Leicester Tigers both have 9, La Rochelle have 7 points and Sale Sharks with 5 are not out of it yet. Stade Francais are bottom of the pool with just the 1 point, their best hope now is to win here and hope that is enough to find a place in the Challenge Cup.
Stade Francais began with a 28-5 defeat away to Sale Sharks and then were edged out 27-24 by Leicester Tigers in their only home game so far. A 43-7 hiding off Leinster in Dublin in Round 3 put paid to any hopes of reaching the last 16.
In the French Top 14 Stade Francais are in third spot with a record of 7 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats and they are 7 points shy of leaders Racing 92 and 3 behind second placed Bordeaux.
Stormers
Coming into the final round the Stormers need 2 points from this match to secure a last 16 spot whilst a bonus point win would see them have home advantage when we get to knockout rugby although the picture will change as other results unfold.
The Stormers boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds with a 31-24 home win over Sale Sharks in Round 3 where a late try for Sale denied those punters who had latched on to a -11.5 handicap.
The Stormers faced a tough task in their opening match away to Leicester Tigers and although they lost the game 35-26 a way under strength side emerged with great credit but left empty handed. The pressure was on for a Round 2 home fixture against defending champions Stade Rochelle and the Stormers edged it 21-20 thanks to a last gasp converted try.
In the outright betting to win the Champions Cup the Stormers are priced at 23/1 with BoyleSports
Team News
Stade Francais: 15 Leo Monin, 14 Peniasi Dakuwaqa, 13 Stephane Ahmed, 12 Lester Etien, 11 Mathis Ibo, 10 Joris Segonds, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Giovanni Habel-Kuffner, 7 Andy Timo, 6 Mathieu Hirigoyen, 5 Pierre-Henri Azagoh, 4 Paul Gabrillagues (c), 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Lucas Peyresblanques, 1 Clement Castets
Replacements: 16 Mickael Ivaldi, 17 Vasil Kakovin, 18 Hugo N’Diaye, 19 Romain Briatte, 20 Sekou Macalou, 21 Jules Gimbert, 22 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 23 Leo Barre
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie (c), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Hendre Stassen, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg
The Betting
Stade Francais +6.5 points at 9/10
Stormers -4.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
There was some speculation about the Stormers sending a watered-down team but they have named a strong side and I think they will get the job done against Stade who I am not convinced want to qualify for the Challenge Cup.
The handicap is edging out and I am going to grab the -4.5 Stormers still on offer although my main interest will likely be on the points lines.
Stay close to our forum thread where I will post any additional bets and other punters share their plays
BET: 3 units Stormers -4.5 at 19/20 at WSB
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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